The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-03-26

tiers mocicd NJ his warnircs, nrl his wife,
diSobeying the divine command, became q
pillar Of salt The righteous persons for whom
Abraham prayed were only Lot and his two
daughters, who in the light OF their suliSo
quent history were Ike brands plucEcd from
the burning Ahraham'N prayer was answered,
and the judge of all the earth did right
The Sacrifice Of Isaac-God was faithful 10
his covenant. At length the son on whom
every promise depended was born, We cHn
hardly conceive what JOY filed the house
hold and the circle OF friends. His name was
called Isaac (meaning laughter. Never per.
hapS was son moro desired or moro fonGly
loved. Abraham was To he put TO the test
for his own sake, for the sake Of his people
the people Of redempton-who were TO cher
ish his example, and for the sake Of the people
OF all subsequent times God demanded then,
rs he does now, n complete surrender OF oil
that the patriarch had. At the same time he
clearly showed tho nature Of true sacrifice,
and set the seal of his disapproval on human
offerings, which were doubtless common ut
that time among the Canaanites.
Jacob and Esau-The rights OF the first
born son were particularly sacred in olden
times; but God more than once set them
aside in the family OF the Patrarcls. The
beloved son Isaac proved 10 be weak charac-
ter. He showed faith in God, but he also dis
played fondncSS for Fsaus vcnSon which
seemed unworthy Of the heir OF such great
promises. This son cared more for the graft
ilcation Of his appetites than he did for tho
birthright which opened such glorious posi-
bilitcs in the future He sold it to his
brother Jacob FOR mess Of pottage, and
finally lost the blessing of the first born by
his brothers deceit Jacob did not become
the inheritor of these blessings because of his
falsehood, for which he was abundantly pun
ahed, but because he had some true apprccia-
ton of the birthrsht II was for this reason,
when he was compelled 10 leave his home to
escape the wrath of his brother ESau, that
God made that wonderful revelation of him
self to Bethel, and made himself known us
Tie angel of Jehovah who redeemed him from
all evil Gen. Xviii, lG
The Struggle of Jabbok Of trial
and discipline passed A lonely trav,lr.
with only a shepherds staff, he had gone TO
his uncle Laban', house. About twenty years
after hc left II rich sheikh, with large fam
i.y and numerous i'ocks and herds. He had
had a religious experience of rather super
fetal sort, but that experience needed To he
dccpenrd before be- could become the spiritual
father of his people Saved from the wrath
of Laban, he was made aware of the coming
OF his brother with four hundred men. That
brother through all the years had not forgot
ten the cruel wrong done him Jacob prayed
und used all possible foresight TO appease the
wrath of his brother, After all his prepara-
lions were made he was left alone in the gloom
of night A man appeared and began to
wrcstlc with him. Was il an assassin sent by
his brother Esau to STAY him: Before morn
ing he could not have doubted that it was the
angel of Jehovah with whom he was wrest-
ling, and that he had power to bless him. This
heavenly visitor as the morning was just dawn
ing sought 10 leave him, but Jacob, who had
wept in his intercesoion, broke out in passion
ate earnestnesS-"l will not let thee so except
thou bless me-" Then for the first time the
angel, using his divine power touched him.
He blessed him, but he made him lame that
Jacob might not think that through his own
strength he had gotten the victory. 1t was
only through this conflict that he prevailed
over men and God, and received as it we're
the memorial name of his spiritual coDsecra-
tion--IsraeL
POINTS TO BE REMEMBERED
l. The Bible is the history of redemption.
Its object is not to give protane science or
history.
2 Man was created in the image OF God.
3. The divine image was marred and para
disc was lost by the full Tint image cannot
be restored or paradise regained by mans
own efforts. He must he born from above,
81. % t,l,h n I.,-
come n citizen must descend from above.
T. Murder and all the horrible evils which
defe the earth are the result of sin.
D. Mere civilization does not save men.
Music and the arts and the charms Of beauty
may be the attendants Of corruption and vio-
lence, the graceful drapery Of the angel of
light into which the god Of this world seeks
to transform himself.
g. There would have been no people Of re-
demption if God had left the world its own
natural development. He first chose Noah
and then Abraham.
T. Mere worldly wealth is not the best
thing Men who pursue it az the expense Of
every other consideration will at length find
themselves rs poor as Lot was when fleeing
from Sodom.
S Gods covenant cannot be broken. Men
fail TO fulfil their engagements. God never
fails to perform his promises.
o The judge Of all the earth does right.
We may not be able to see it now or To make
it appear to others. The time is coming when
all the world will recognize His justice
TO- God demands the complete surrender of
all we have Since he gave his son for us
it is but little that we should give ourselves
for him.
IT, Most men sell their birthright for
mess of pottage They sell their souls for
little of this worlds goods-its honors or
pleasures.
T. The place of prayer is the place OF vic
tory for every believing soul-Suhday
School World.
4 New Omcial Test.
when Cleveland took hold of the ship in